Estes Park Bobcats can't ground Saints

'Cats never quit, rack up 376 yards

Joseph Coleson sneaks the ball over the goal line for the 'Cats' fourth score on Friday. Coleson guided the offense well after starter Frankie KellerTwigg left the game with an injury.
(
Walt Hester
)

Isaak Cirone grabs an interception against the Jefferson Saints on Friday. Brothers Ben and Andrew also produced; both had interceptions and Andrew recovered an onside kick.
(
Walt Hester
)

The Estes Park Bobcats football team held their own early and never gave up, but lost 41-24 to the resurgent Jefferson Saints on Friday.Kayle Robidart scored on a 96-yard pitch, the longest of the year and of Robidart's career. The game was more of a track meet for Robidart as he also scored from a sweep left that went for more than 60 yards, and a fumble recovery that went for 84 yards He totaled 221 yards rushing and another 25 yards receiving. Joseph Coleson scored on a one-yard dive that started the fourth quarter, as well.

The offense got a bit of a scare in the second quarter when Frankie KellerTwigg took a helmet to his left hip. While it was clearly painful, the coaches felt whatever was lost in the short term by KellerTwigg's absence would be more than made up by letting the big QB rest the injury. The team was able to trundle on with freshman Coleson at the offensive helm. KellerTwig had passed for 50 yards and run another 19 before leaving the game.All three Cirone boys made the highlights as Isaak, Andrew and Ben each hauled in interceptions and Andrew recovered an onside kick. The defense showed impressive speed most of the evening chasing down almost everything outside and showing resilience on the inside as well. The defense recorded five sacks on the night, one each by Sam Addison, Andre Gonzales, Dillon Rogers Carlos Delgado and Brenden Mulhern.

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Delgado also had two hurries on the night, while Rogers and Mulhern each had one. The problem was that when they had little lapses, the Saints managed to exploit them.

One shanked punt, and a fumble in the second quarter gave the Saints possessions deep in Bobcats' territory. The Saints Cameron Wasburn was able to quickly capitalize on the short field, scoring twice in quick succession and build a 28-6 halftime lead.The Bobcats never gave up, however, and scored three times in the second half. The defense also stiffened in the second half, helping the team catch up a bit. They finished with 376 yards of offense; 326 on the ground, the most this season, and 50 yards in the air. Freshman receiver Spencer Woodard had the Bobcats' longest reception at 25 yards.

The new rushing game is certainly working for the Bobcats. Robidart is averaging 128.3 yards per game and 9.35 per carry. KellerTwigg averages 4.85 yards per carry and 54 per game. Sam Addison, in spite of getting fewer carries in short-yardage plays, is still averaging 3.72 yards per carry and 49 yards per game. This also bodes well for future seasons as most of the Estes Park squad is pretty young.

Robidart also leads on defense with 12 tackles per game this season. Brenden Mulhern averages 4.8 and Keith Trahan is next with 4.4 tackles per game.

Next Friday, the 'Cats play at Nederland in a rare afternoon game on Saturday. While the 'Cats' loss to Jefferson drops the their record to 3-4, the Estes Park squad has an excellent chance of evening up, and even taking some frustrations out on Nederland. The Cougars are winless this season.The Bobcats game against the Nederland Cougars is scheduled for a 1 p.m. kickoff on Saturday, October 20.

Kayle Robidart runs for the first of his three touchdowns and 221 yards against the Saints. Robidart would score from 64, 84 and 96 yards out.
(
Walt Hester
)